Denise Kellen

Patient Advocate

Philanthropist

After graduating from Wellesley College with a B.A. in economics, Denise Kellen began business school at Columbia University. Within a semester, the world of finance pulled Denise's interest, and she left the program for a successful career at a series of companies focused on stocks and commodities. In 1975, she took a break from Wall Street, but returned three years later for a second stint, working for ten years as a futures arbitrageur. Denise ultimately left Wall Street in 1988 to pursue other interests, including women's empowerment, the arts, and skin cancer and melanoma awareness. Her passion for sun safety and melanoma research is motivated by her own melanoma diagnosis in the 90's.

From 1997 to 2013, Denise was a Co-owner of the Biddington's online Art Gallery and in 1999 she joined the nonprofit board of the COHME (Concerned Home Managers for the Elderly), where she continues to serve as Chairperson of the board to this day. In 2012, Denise joined the board of the American Skin Association where she served for five years; and in 2015, she became a founding board member of the Women's Enterprise Action Loan Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to helping women business owners become financially self-sufficient through interest-free loans and mentoring. Denise has served on the Dean's Council of Weill-Cornell Medicine and also stays connected with her alma mater, Wellesley College. She also regularly engages with other top institutions including Rockefeller University and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Denise brings not only her experience with melanoma to the MRA board, but a passion for encouraging women in the science, patient education, and prevention efforts. Denise, along with her husband Michael, are major supporters of medical research through the Anna Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation.